Birds
Black Hawk-eagle
Spizaetus tyrannus
A sharp, piercing call rings out above the forest canopy as a black hawk-eagle circles on broad wings, its mostly blackish plumage and banded tail visible across one of the widest ranges of any Neotropical eagle.
Overview
The black hawk-eagle, Spizaetus tyrannus, is a Least Concern bird of prey found across Neotropical forest from Mexico south through Central America to northern Argentina. Its broad distribution, distinctive piercing call, and dependence on intact forest canopy for hunting make it one of the more widespread yet habitat-sensitive forest eagles in the Americas.
Heard before it is seen
A loud, far-carrying call often announces the black hawk-eagle’s presence long before the bird itself comes into view, circling high above the canopy on broad, rounded wings in search of birds, bats, and small mammals.
Status
Least Concern, remaining widespread across its extensive Neotropical forest range, though dependent on large, intact stretches of forest canopy to hunt effectively.
Black Hawk-eagle: common questions
How can you identify a black hawk-eagle?
Look for its mostly blackish plumage, banded black-and-grey tail, and a narrow, pointed crest on the head, along with its loud, piercing call given from a high perch or in flight.
What does the black hawk-eagle eat?
It is a carnivore, hunting birds, bats, and small mammals within and above the forest canopy.
How wide is the black hawk-eagle's range?
It is one of the broadest-ranging Neotropical eagles, found from Mexico south through Central America across nearly all of tropical South America to northern Argentina.
Why is the black hawk-eagle vulnerable to habitat loss?
It depends on large stretches of forest canopy to hunt effectively, making it sensitive to deforestation and fragmentation even though it remains widespread overall.